The Cariboo is an idyllic location for cross-country skiing, with trails for skiers of every ability, many leading to breathtaking vistas. Cross-country skiing is a popular winter sport in this part of BC, with many of the routes, such as at 100 Mile House and in the Wells area, passing through historic gold-rush areas. There is a great mix of trails and views in the Clinton and Quesnel areas as well.
Highlights:
100 Mile House/108 Mile Ranch: International Nordic ski capital.
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Big Bar Ski Trails: Large area situated just north of Clinton.
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Quesnel: A great selection of trails for skiers of all abilities.
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Wells-Barkerville Area: A vast network of trails, much of it through historic gold-rush areas.
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100 Mile House/108 Mile Ranch
The people of
100 Mile House take their cross-country skiing seriously, as evidenced by the 11m (36ft) tall skis and poles that stand outside the Visitor Centre. Among the most popular areas to ski are at 108 Mile Ranch and 99 Mile House, both of which offer extensive, groomed trail systems, with 3.5km (2.2 miles) of routes at the 99 Mile Ski Trails lit for night skiing. This is a historic area; skiers of all abilities will find themselves trekking along part of the historic Gold Rush Trail, through open meadows, beneath forest cover, past historic sites and by cattle ranches. Look out for the annual Cariboo Marathon Ski Race.
Attributes
- Trails: 108 Mile Ranch - over 100km (62 miles) groomed trails; 99 Mile House - over 50km (31 miles) groomed trails
- Operating season: December to March
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Big Bar Ski Trails
The Big Bar Ski Trails are located just north of the town of
Clinton. It is a large cross-country ski area, well maintained by the Clinton Snow Jockey Club. While much of the trail network is groomed, even ungroomed areas provide a fairly gentle ride. Several of the loop trails lead to stunning views of the majestic Marble Range. There are some shelters en route.
The Big Bar Ski Trails are about a 20-minute drive north from Clinton.
Attributes
- Trails: over 50km (31 miles) trails with 15 to 20km (9.3 to 12.4 miles) groomed
- Average annual snowfall: varies
- Operating season: December to March
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Quesnel
There are an admirable number of trails near
Quesnel. The Cariboo Ski Touring Club maintains a system at Hallis Lake as well as at Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park. The trails at Hallis Lake are regularly track set, with easy-to-advanced runs between 5-to-8m (16-to-26ft) wide. Several trails lead to memorable viewpoints, with one 7.5km (4.7 miles) loop offering an unforgettable, 300º panorama. At Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park, there are approximately 10km (6.2 miles) of groomed trails, with mostly flat terrain - ideal for beginners.
The Hallis Lake trails are a 15-minute drive southeast of Quesnel. Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park is also a 15-minute drive north of Quesnel.
Attributes
- Trails: 33km (20.5 miles) trails with 2.5km (1.5 miles) night lit at Hallis Lake; 10km (6.2 miles) trails at Ten Mile Provincial Park
- Operating season: mid November to late March
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Wells-Barkerville Area
There is a vast network of cross-country trails in the Wells-Barkerville area. The community of
Wells is surrounded on two sides by a large, scenic wetland. Look for moose, ptarmigan, loons, Canada geese and wintering swans en route. A large section of the Cariboo Waggon Road can also be skied, with 22km (13.7 miles) running from Stanley, west of Wells, through to
Barkerville Historic Town. Mount Murray, a good beginner area, has two cabins that can be rented from the Cariboo Ski Touring Club. Other popular routes include the Williams Creek Trail from the Richfield Courthouse toward Mount Agnes. Backcountry skiing is also popular in the area.
All trails are located off Highway 26, within a few minutes of Wells.
Attributes
- Trails: 100km (62 miles) formal trails plus endless open landscape
- Operating season: mid November to late April
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